Transcript:
Many areas along the Florida coast are lined with twists and turns, dense mangroves – trees and shrubs that blend in and into the water.
But mangroves can't stand the cold temperatures, and in North America, mangroves have never been found in northern Florida – so far.
Ches Vervaeke of the National Park Service said last year that he and a team searched for the most North American mangroves near Jacksonville, Florida.
As they explore rivers, swamps and bays, they continually find mangroves far north than previously recorded.
Vervaeke: “Every time we see a person, we say, “This is the northernmost mangrove forest.” ”
At the end of the day, they finally crossed Georgia State University.
Vervaeke: “The three of us were probably seeing it at the same time on that ship…and the three of us all had the same reaction: 'Holy cows, there are mangroves in Georgia.'”
Vervaeke said the main reason why mangroves are moving is global warming.
Vervaeke: “We have a lower frequency and severe freeze. … This means mangroves can survive in more and more northern parts.”
As a result, mangroves may increasingly enter Georgia and beyond as the climate continues to warm.
Report Credit: Ethan Freedman/Chavobart Digital Media
Repost our articles for free under the Creative Commons license, online or in print.
